Ithaca College

With profound sadness, I write to inform you of the death of junior Shannon Sakosits, an Integrated Marketing Communications major, after a brief illness. 

I know the entire campus community, and specifically the Roy H. Park School of Communications faculty, staff and students, joins me in extending our heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathies to Shannon’s family, friends, classmates and professors at this difficult time. Shannon is from Mahwah, New Jersey.

The Ithaca College Hammond Health Center and Cayuga Medical Center are working closely with the Tompkins County and New York State Departments of Health to determine the cause of death.  To date, preliminary testing has not indicated a bacterial infection as the cause of Shannon’s illness.   

Following additional laboratory testing, the New York State Department of Health has advised us that testing is negative for any bacterial infection that would require preventive antibiotics to close contacts. 

Friends and classmates were invited to gather on November 12 at 7 p.m. in Muller Chapel to support one another, with assistance from counselors and chaplains. At any time, students can contact the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services for additional support at 607-274-3136.

Information about any memorial services will be shared with the campus community as it becomes available.  

Benjamin Rifkin, Provost and Vice President for Educational Affairs